Is there a reason why Zep I was recorded so much better than Zep II???

[Steve w]

I know the master to II is gone but there still shouldn't be that much of a difference in the sound of the remastered CD's.

[Sckott]

Trident Studios.

[Steve Hoffman]

Zep II was recorded at A&R in NYC.

Same place as Getz/Gilberto (which sounds amazing).

Maybe they were having an off week?

[Michael]

So, What's the best sounding CD Version of Led Zep 2?

[Mike V]

My 2 cents:

The Classic LP has a horribly boosted midrange, like they wanted Plant's voice to pop out at you. It turns the whole mix into a sonic mess. I haven't fiddled around with it, but I suppose a little corrective EQ might make this LP worth your while.

Many say that promo and early domestic copies sound great. I couldn't say. But I do know that I would not spend the $200 you see for MFSL pressings on eBay. If they sound anything like 95% of MFSL LPs, I would steer clear and spend the $30 on the Classic.

[lukpac]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Zep II was recorded at A&R in NYC.

Actually, all over: A&R, Olympic, Atlantic. There might be another one.

[Sam]

Mike V. "If they sound anything like 95% of MFSL LPs, I would steer clear and spend the $30 on the Classic."

C,mon Mike, I think 95% is way off. I guess you have your opinion. Most of my Mofi's sound great. And my system is not cheap. VPI, etc. I guess a lot of it is in the equipment--tubed preamp and Grado master. I just don't know why so many sound "bad" to you. There are some that I have found that are slightly hot. Let it Be comes to mind. Of course, I must admit that I have not compared all my mofi with the regular pressings. I guess I'm just a sucker for that "smile" curve that steve talks about in regard to mofi. Because for most of mine, I find myself smiling at the sonics.

[Loud Listener]

Suprisingly, the MFSL and Classic records release sound very close to one another.

The Classic was made from a different tape though. The MFSL tape has a lot more damage on it and drop outs in different places.

I gave the edge to the Classic Records release for the tape being in better condition and it having just a we bit more clairty. Both have excellent bass.

You can't go worng wth the Classic Records on this one for the price. Mine was a nice quiet pressing as well.

:p

[Tullman]

I suppose the best cd would be from the box set that was released in the 90's. I have the Japanese cds also and was not that impressed.

[Mike V]

Originally posted by Sam
I guess I'm just a sucker for that "smile" curve that steve talks about in regard to mofi. Because for most of mine, I find myself smiling at the sonics.

Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about. It gives me ear pain. Here are a couple offenders in my collection:

Steely Dan Aja (ouch!!! High end torture)

Beatles Revolver (I'll have to listen again to be more specific. I do remember it lacked any sense of analog warmth though). Let It Be sounds much better to me than the MFSL Revolver IMO.

The Doors S/T - Oh my god, what have they done to this one??? Listen to the DCC on CD or vinyl and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Cat Stevens Tea For The Tillerman UHQR - Total sibilant sonic disaster from start to finish. And some weirdo stuff going on in the low frequencies. But boy was that pressing whisper quiet :rolleyes:

But mastering often is about taste. My tastes have changed dramatically over the past few years. These days, I find most MFSL pressings tiring on the ears.

[Mike V]

Originally posted by Loud Listener
Suprisingly, the MFSL and Classic records release sound very close to one another.

The Classic was made from a different tape though. The MFSL tape has a lot more damage on it and drop outs in different places.

I gave the edge to the Classic Records release for the tape being in better condition and it having just a we bit more clairty. Both have excellent bass.

You can't go worng wth the Classic Records on this one for the price. Mine was a nice quiet pressing as well.

:p

Thanks for the notes of comparison!

[Paul K]

Hullo!
I know that this may be a wee bit trainspottish, but to my understanding, vocal punch-ins were done at Aragon Studios (now Mushroom studios) in Vancouver. This is not folklore, this is fact as the record of the session exists. (not what was actually done there however) Why does this never get mentioned anywhere? Being Canadian, Classic is hard to find up here, and I just wanna know, as far as CD's go, what do you all think of the Marino/Page masters of the album?

[Todd Fredericks]

Here's my take on 'Zep II'. It seems that every release has a different "sound". The master tape (which seems not to exist anymore) is/was perhaps the best reference. What was the intention of the group/producer when they were working on it? Did they want it to sound different than their first album (brighter, etc.)? Should we consider the first pressing UK release (which must have been approved) as the reference in which we can compare all CD/vinyl reissues or what else would be the reference (personal taste)? Which one is correct and how do we really know?

Todd

[Sckott]

Crap, I thought II was at Trident. Sorry guys. :( Same studio as Getz/Gilberto? My lord.... I have the MFSL, and it does sound grrrreat! :)

[MMM]

Glyn Johns engineered the first album. Eddie Kramer was first engineer on the second album. That could account for the differences in sound. (I think Andy Johns - Glyn's brother - also had an engineering credit on the second album, but I'd have to check when I get home to be sure).

I have the early 90's Japanese Analog Series Led Zep II. A little bright, but it doesn't bother me and it has great bass. I think it sounds great - I enjoy it. Pricey though, but it shouldn't be as high as the $200- price quoted here for the MoFi.

I bought two of the Classic Led Zep's - I & IV. I liked them, but both could have used a little bit more bottom. Otherwise they sounded fine (but I don't consider myself an expert on these recordings).

MMM

[Todd Fredericks]

Which tape did Classic use if the master is dead?

[MMM]

Maybe someone knows where to e-mail Bernie to find out?

MMM

[Sam]

Was the original master used for the mofi of Zep II? When and why was the master tape lost? Steve, do you have any information on this?

[Dave]

Originally posted by sydbarrett
Being Canadian, Classic is hard to find up here, and I just wanna know, as far as CD's go, what do you all think of the Marino/Page masters of the album?
Can you say overly compressed and lack of true dynamics?;)

Sam, from what I remember the masters for Zeppelin II were destroyed in the famous Warner Bros. warehouse fire. Lukpac knows way more about this than I do. Luke......perhaps you can take it from here?:D

[lukpac]

Originally posted by Dave
Can you say overly compressed and lack of true dynamics?;)

Eh? I always though the Marino CD sounded pretty good, actually.

Sam, from what I remember the masters for Zeppelin II were destroyed in the famous Warner Bros. warehouse fire. Lukpac knows way more about this than I do. Luke......perhaps you can take it from here?:D

Well, it was Atlantic that had the fire, and that only had to deal with session tapes, not mixdown tapes.

I'm still not sure exactly what happened, but I seem to remember someone saying something about the tape pretty much exploding while being played back once. Anyone?

[Angel]

Just some worn oxide. Typical Scotch 200 series problems.

[Sckott]

An old article, but still worth peeking at. Has some interesting pics of the tape boxes.

http://www.led-zeppelin.com/reviews-classicrecords1.html

[Jason Smith]

Originally posted by lukpac


Actually, all over: A&R, Olympic, Atlantic. There might be another one.

Whole Lotta Love - Olympic
What Is And What Should Never Be - Olympic
Lemon Song - Mirror Sound
Thank You - Morgan
Heartbreaker - A&R
Living Loving Maid - Morgan
Ramble On - Juggy Sound
Moby Dick - Mirror Sound
Bring It On Home - Atlantic

Mixed at A&R

According to the cd liner notes.

[krabapple]

Originally posted by Todd Fredericks
[B]Here's my take on 'Zep II'. It seems that every release has a different "sound". The master tape (which seems not to exist anymore) is/was perhaps the best reference.


Years ago -- before the Zep boxed sets came out -- I recall reading in ICE that the LEd Zep II master tapes had been stored in *the trunk of a car* and were ruined. When the boxed sets and then the single issue remasters came out, I wrote to ask how these could be from 'original masters' as had been claimed. The reply -- not definitive -- was along the lines of, that maybe there had been more than one set of master tapes (e.g., two machines running during the mastering step). Is this a common practice? Does anyone know what source was used for the Atlantic remasters?

[Beagle]

Originally posted by lukpac
Eh? I always though the Marino CD sounded pretty good, actually
So did I. The III and IV Marino remasters sounded better than my LPs.